SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

A procedure to determine the sensitivity
of the outcomes of an alternative to changes in its parameters
(as opposed to changes in the environment; see contingency
analysis, a fortiori analysis). If a small change in a parameter
results in relatively large changes in the outcomes, the outcomes
are said to be sensitive to that parameter. This may mean that
the parameter has to be determined very accurately or that the
alternative has to be redesigned for low sensitivity. (IIASA)